Conversation 2 Shayla Louis

According to Szwed, the five elements of literacy are orality, writing, print, publishing, and computing. Szwed recommends an ethnographic approach to studying literacy. Ethnography involves immersing oneself in the culture and community being studied to gain a deep understanding of their literacy practices. This method is favored because it allows researchers to observe and document literacy in its natural context, capturing the complexities and nuances that may be missed through other research methods. When Szwed writes that “we must come to terms with the lives of people without patronizing them,” he emphasizes the importance of conducting ethnographic research with respect and empathy. It means that researchers should approach their subjects without condescension or judgment, recognizing the value of the community’s literacy practices and the unique perspectives of its members. If I were a literacy instructor in the Bronx following Szwed’s advice, I would design a curriculum that reflects the diverse literacy practices within the community. According to Perry, the two models of literacy are the autonomous model and the ideological model. The autonomous model views literacy as a set of neutral and universal skills, focusing on the individual’s ability to read and write without considering the broader social context. Researching the term “orality versus literacy” revealed the ongoing debate about the impact of oral and written communication on human cognition and culture. Our literacy practices are shaped by the communities we are part of and the environments in which we are raised. Literacy standards are created through a complex process involving educational institutions, policymakers, and experts in the field. These standards are intended to define what individuals should know and be able to do in terms of literacy at various stages of education.